Advice & information

Stoptober begins today, an annual campaign encouraging people who smoke to quit. For some, deciding to stop smoking can be a big step. It can be difficult to break a habit that may have been part of everyday life for years, but with the right support, quitting is possible. Stoptober is a good opportunity to think about your smoking, consider the benefits of stopping and find out what support is available locally and nationally. Making the decision to quit There is no single w

Sexual health is an important part of our overall health and wellbeing, but it can sometimes feel difficult or embarrassing to ask for help. Sexual Health Week -14–20 September, is a great opportunity to remind people across Southend that free, confidential support is available. Brook Southend provides free sexual health and contraception services for people living in Southend-on-Sea. You can get support with STI testing and treatment, contraception, emergency contraception,

Overdose awareness: knowing when to get help An overdose can happen when someone takes more of a drug or medicine than their body can safely process. It can also happen when different drugs are taken together. Alcohol can cause overdose too, which is often called alcohol poisoning. An overdose can happen to anyone. It may be linked to prescribed medicines, illegal drugs, or medicines that have been prescribed to someone else. An overdose can be life-threatening, so getting me